Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/483

 The First French Republic 445 7. That the inhabitants of the towns and villages who may dare to defend themselves against the troops of their Imperial and Royal Majesties and fire on them, either in the open country or through windows, doors, and openings in their houses, shall be punished immediately according to the most stringent laws of war, and their houses shall be burned or destroyed. . . . 8. The city of Paris and all its inhabitants without dis- Fate of Paris tinction shall be required to submit at once and without if li P ermits delay to the king, to place that prince in full and complete come'to liberty, and to assure to him, as well as to the other royal per- harm, sonages, the inviolability and respect which the law of nature and of nations demands of subjects toward sovereigns. . . . Their said Majesties declare, on their word of honor as emperor and king, that if the chateau of the Tuileries is entered by force or attacked, if the least violence be offered to their Majesties the king, queen, and royal family, and if their safety and their liberty be not immediately assured, they will inflict an ever memorable vengeance by delivering over the city of Paris to military execution and complete destruction, and the rebels guilty of the said outrages to the punishment that they merit. . . . Finally, I pledge myself, in my own name and in my said capacity, to cause the troops intrusted to my command to observe good and strict discipline, promising to treat with kindness and moderation all well-intentioned subjects who • show themselves peaceful and submissive, and to use force only against those who shall be guilty of resistance and ill will. It is for these reasons that I call upon and exhort in the most urgent manner all the inhabitants of the kingdom not to oppose the movements and operations of the troops which I command, but rather, on the contrary, to grant them every- where a free passage and to assist and aid them with all good will as circumstances shall demand. Given at the headquarters at Coblenz, July 25, 1792. Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick-Liineburg,